Kiwis claim the high ground in punishment saga

New Zealand is using its clean position to push for greater punishment for South African match-fixing conspirators Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams.

The pair were fined R60,000 and R10,000 respectively by the United Cricket Board of South Africa's disciplinary committee for their part in the 'Cronjegate' scandal in South Africa. They were also banned from international cricket until January 1.

Their path to international cricket will be made easier by the fact they are able to continue to play first-class cricket in the interim.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Christopher Doig has been loud in his criticism of the punishment and confirmed today that his stance has been backed by NZC chairman Sir John Anderson.

"It is correct the International Cricket Council's code of conduct commissioner Lord Griffiths can review the decision and veto it. We expect that will happen," Doig said.

Lord Griffiths can make any such decision at any time once he has formally received the decision from the UCBSA.

"It is entirely up to him," Doig said.

He added that New Zealand would not be making a formal submission to Lord Griffiths protesting the decision.

New Zealand has been loudest in its condemnation among the cricketing nations, a fact Doig put down to New Zealand not having been involved in match-fixing allegations.